Stomach Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Do you know that you can have stomach ulcers due to the use of certain medications?

Stomach Ulcers are also known as Gastric Ulcers are painful sores in the stomach lining.

Moreover, it is important to note that stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer disease.

On the other hand, peptic ulcers are any ulcers that affect both your stomach and intestines.

Stomach ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from the digestive juices reduces.

Furthermore, this allows that digestive acids to eat away at the tissue that lines the stomach, thus, causing an ulcer.

You can easily cure stomach ulcers, however, they can become severe without proper treatment.

Keep on reading to learn more about them in detail.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers most commonly occur by one of the following:

• an infection with bacterium Helicopter pylori or H. pylori
• long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs which includes aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

However, in rare conditions, condition: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers by increasing the production of acid in your body.

Many doctors suspect that this condition can cause less than 1% of all peptic ulcers.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

There are a number of symptoms that doctors associate with stomach ulcers.

The severity of the symptoms often depends on the severity of the ulcer.

The most common symptom of this condition is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen, between your chest and belly button.

Usually, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty and can last for a few minutes to several hours.

Some of the other signs and symptoms of ulcers are:

Dull pain in the stomach, weight loss, not wanting to eat because of pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Moreover, bloating, burping or acid reflux, feeling full, heartburn which is a burning sensation in the chest, and dark tarry stools are the symptoms.

It can also have symptoms like:

• pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or use antacids
• anemia and the symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, or pale skin
• vomiting that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds

Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer.

Even though you experience mild discomfort, ulcers can worsen if you do not get treatment.

Bleeding ulcers can even become life-threatening.

Risk Factors

It is important to note that certain behaviors and factors can increase your chances of developing stomach ulcers.

These includes:

Frequent usage of steroids, smoking, overproducing calcium or hypercalcemia, genetics, and frequently consuming alcohol.

Moreover, stomach ulcers are more common in individuals over 50 years of age.

However, you can develop a stomach ulcer at any age but they are much less common in children.

The risk in childer is higher if their parents smoke.

NSAIDs and Stomach Ulcers

A group of pain killers: NSAIDs carries a risk of stomach ulcers.

The two of these are Aspirin and Iburopehn that are very common.

Moreover, the risk of ulcers increases if you take these drugs in high disease or regular for a long period of time.

Stronger NSAIDs like those that need a prescription, are even riskier for stomach ulcers than those you can buy over-the-counter, OTC.

Therefore, it is important to always check labels and talk to a pharmacist or a doctor about any concerns with using such medications.

They may recommend alternative medications like acetaminophen.

Diagnosing Stomach Ulcers

Diagnosis and treatment of stomach ulcers depend on the symptoms and the severity of your ulcers.

In order to diagnose a stomach ulcer, your doctor will review your medical history along with the symptoms you are experiencing.

Moreover, they will also review your prescription of over-the-counter, OTC medications.

To rule out H. pylori infection, blood, stool, or breath tests may take place.

With a breath test, your doctor will instruct you to drink clear liquid and breath into a bag which is then sealed.

If H. pylori are present, then the breath sample will contain higher-than-normal levels of carbon dioxide.

Some of the other tests and procedures that your doctor can use to diagnose stomach ulcers are:

Barium Swallow

In this test, you will drink a thick white liquid, i.e. barium that coats the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Moreover, it will help your doctor to see your stomach and small intestines on X-rays.

Endoscopy

In this test, your doctor will insert a thin, lighted tube through your mouth and into the stomach and the first part of the small intestines.

This test helps to look for ulcers, bleeding, and any tissue that looks abnormal.

Endoscopic Biopsy

During this, your doctor will remove tissue so that they can analyze it in a lab.

Treatment Options

The treatment will depend on the cause of your ulcer.

With the help of a prescription, most cases of stomach ulcers can be treated.

However, in rare cases, you may need surgery.

It is important to promptly treat an ulcer.

Therefore, talk to your doctor to discuss the treatment plan.

If you have an actively bleeding ulcer, you will likely be hospitalized for intensive treatment.

This includes endoscopy and IV ulcer medications.

You may also need a blood transfusion.

Let’s discuss NonSurgical Treatment.

Nonsurgical Treatment

In case your stomach ulcer is the result of H. pylori, you will need antibiotics and drugs: Proton Pump Inhibitors, PPIs.

In addition to these, your doctor may also recommend:

H2 receptor blockers as these drugs also block acid production, advise you to stop using NSAIDs, and bismuth supplements.

Moreover, they will also recommend probiotics which are useful bacteria that may have a role in killing off H. pylori.

It is important to note that symptoms of ulcers often subside with treatment quickly.

However, even if your symptoms disappear, you should continue to take the medications that your doctor will prescribe.

This is particularly important with H. pylori infections to make sure that all bacteria are eliminated.

Some of the side effects of medications to treat stomach ulcers are:

• headaches
•  abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• nausea

Furthermore, it is important to note that these side effects often subsite.

However, if any of these side effects cause extreme discomfort, talk to your doctor about changing your medications.

Surgical Treatment

In very rare cases, complicated stomach ulcers will need surgery.

This may be the cause for ulcers that continue to return do not heal, bleed, tear through the stomach and keep the food from flowing out of the stomach into the small intestines.

Moreover, the surgery may include:

Removal of the entire ulcer, typing off a bleeding artery.

Moreover, your doctor may take the tissue from another part of the intestines and patch it over the ulcer site.

They can also cut off the nerve supply to the stomach to reduce the production of stomach acid.

Healthy Diet

In the past, it was believed that diet could cause stomach ulcers.

However, with time and research, it is not true.

As the foods you eat do not cause or cure a stomach ulcer, eating a healthful diet can benefit the intestinal tract and your overall health as well.

In general, it is a good idea to eat a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

With that said, it is possible that some foods play a role in eliminating H. pylori.

Certain foods that can help fight this bacterium or boost the healthy bacteria in your body are:

• probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, yogurt
• apples
• blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries
• olive oil
• broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and radishes
• leafy greens like spinach and kale

Additionally, as people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy and sour foods while your ulcer is healing.

Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

Along with eating healthy foods, the following items can help to rescue the effects of H. pylori.

This bacteria is often responsible for many stomach ulcers.

However, these supplements are not intended to replace the prescription medication or your current treatment plan by your doctor.

These include:

Probiotics, honey, and glutamine.

Glutamine is a food source that includes chicken, fish, eggs, spinach, and cabbage.

Moreover, your doctor may have suggestions for certain steps you can take at home to relieve discomfort for your ulcer.

Consider talking to your doctor about these natural and home remedies for ulcers.

Calling a Doctor

If you think you have stomach ulcers then call your doctor.

Together you can discuss the symptoms and treatment options.

Moreover, it is important to get treatment for stomach ulcers as, without treatment, ulcers and H. pylori can cause:

Bleeding from the ulcer site can be life-threatening.

Penetration occurs when the ulcer goes into the wall of your digestive tract and into another organ like the pancreas.

Perforation occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of your digestive tract.

Obstruction or blockage in your digestive tract is due to swelling or inflammation of tissues.

Stomach Cancer, especially non-cardia gastric cancer.

Symptoms of these complications can include the one above.

If you have any of the following symptoms, make sure to call your doctor right away.

• trouble breathing
• sudden or sharp pain in your abdomen that does not go away
• red or black vomit or stools
• weakness

Preventing Stomach Ulcers

In order to prevent spreading bacteria that may cause a stomach ulcer, wash your hands with soap and water on a regular basis. Moreover, be sure to properly clean all of your food and cook it thoroughly.

To prevent ulcers that occur due to NSAIDs, stop using them is possible or limit their use. However, if you do need them, make sure to follow the recommended dosage and avoid alcohol while taking them. Also, make sure to take these medications with food and adequate liquids.